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Saturday, September 29, 2012

This past weekend we celebrated Grayson's First Birthday. It was a cool day, but the weather cooperated and the rain held off until we got everything packed into the car to come home. I shared with you all my inspiration board a few months back (see it here) and I'm excited to say that my vision actually did come together nicely! Grayson is obsessed with the cartoon Super Why, so that was the overall theme. We rented a local park with an amazing playground and had wayyy too much food. It was an awesome celebration for our little guy, and we're so thankful to everyone who made it out!

Our Invite- made by the amazing Rachael over at La Petite Giraffe. She did an amazing job and was so easy to work with- I had the finished proof within 48 hours of placing my order, and thats even after I asked her to make changes and added a custom item. Check her out on Etsy and see what she has to offer!

I made this banner to hang over his high chair- I wanted a nice back drop for all of those smash cake pictures!

My insanely talented friend Julie made Grayon's cake and his smash cake. How cute is it that she made him the book club as his smash cake and its all 100% edible. I made the cupcake toppers to put on some cupcakes we got from Sams Club. They were really easy and took almost no time at all to create.

I made these little capes for all of the kids to go in their treat bags, but I tied Graysons to his blue high chair to give it a little pizazz. Go here for the cape tutorial and here to see how I took a cheap high chair to this blue beauty!

My other crazy project was paining the cast of characters on Luan board and having hubs cut them out. We wanted the kids to be able to have their pictures taken with them, and they were a huge hit. All total they took about 5 hours to make, go HERE for the tutorial on how I made them.

The kids went nuts for them, so it was time well spent!

Settling our debate the old fashioned way- ps, I totally kicked hubs ass in this poll. Hes still bitter.

Singing Happy Birthday

Nom Nom Nom

The aftermath- he did pretty darn good!

Trying for a group picture

This is about as good as it was going to get. Trying to get 12 little ones to sit still after sugaring them up with cake wasnt happening.

Grayson and Aunt Ashley

Opening presents - this was when he was actually into it. After awhile the sugar wore off and he opened the rest like this.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

A few weeks before Grayson hit the big 0-1 we met with Jackie of JDG Photography for a photo session in the park. In the one hour we were toghether she took well over 450 images, and edited at least 100. The results were a CD chocked full of images that made this Momma cry.

Be prepared for cuteness overload.

If you are in the Pittsburgh Area, you definitely need to give Jackie a call. She took the time to play with Grayson in between shots, and even when he was having an epic meltdown she managed to get him to smile. Shes the sweetest ball of energy and is insanely creative and talented. Im already planning our Christmas and Easter photo shoot...no more portrait places at the mall for this lady!

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Momma has been dreading this post, because it means that we only have one more month together before you are officially no longer a baby. I know its silly, but that makes Momma very sad. I can't believe you are as big as you are, or as smart, or as adorable- but here you are and you are all of those things and much, much more.

This month you did so much, you took your first trip to the beach with Mommy and Grammy. We just went for a few days to Virginia Beach before Momma went back to school but you had a blast. Well, if you were on the blanket you had a blast. You were not too sure of the texture of sand. Im sure youll get used to it next year though.

You started walking, er, running everywhere. All it took was Mommy pointing at Marley and saying "Look a girl walks more than Grayson". That night you walked, and you walked like a champ. We got your first few wobbly steps on video and I know we will always cherish them. Now, we cant keep you still- you run all over the house.

You're still in your 9-12 month clothes and size 3 diapers- but its apparent that your jeans may start to get too short here soon. Daddy and I think you weigh around 23 pounds, but we haven't had you at the doctors to check that out for sure.

Your vocabulary is expanding daily. Mama, Dada, Nana, Dog, Gizzy, Light, This, Yes, Out, Up, and Ook all come out of your mouth with ease. I know that you only know so many words because Grammy spends the whole day talking to you, and we repeat everything over and over again for you to mimic. You also know where your tongue, nose and belly are and asking you to point them out is adorable.

You also taught us that you know how to climb steps. One day we were in the kitchen and you looked at the steps and said Up! Within 45 seconds you were at the top and were so proud of yourself. Momma promptly went out and bought two more baby gates and now we're stepping over them to get up and down but at least you won't fall down the steps because you sneak away on us.

A few days after you hit the 11 month mark we suffered our first loss as a family of three. Your Great Uncle Tony passed away, which made us all very, very sad. I know you won't remember him but Mommy and Daddy will tell you about him. We both hope that you get his peaceful, mellow attitude and his sense of adventure. He loved to be outdoors and explore and was extremely kind. He loved you, and always asked Daddy how you were doing when they worked together. We only have one picture of the two of you together, but Momma will treasure it always. I know that you have one more Angel looking over you, and this one will make sure that you have skis on your feet and love Colorado.

I cant believe you are so close to your first birthday baby boy, I wish I could just hit pause and suck up every single second with you. Im so glad that I get to be your Mommy and Im so thankful for the joy you bring to our lives. Without a doubt I know that on September 23rd at 6:11 AM I will be at your bedside, scooping you up and crying like a baby just like I was one year earlier.

Thank you again for being as amazing as you are, Daddy and I love you more than words can say. You're the best thing that ever happened to us, and that is more apparent to us each and every day. Your laugh makes me melt and I would give you anything you want when you reach your little arms out to me and say "Mama" in that sweet voice. I cant wait to see what this last month of your baby hood holds for us both.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

If you secretly want to knock your baby over every time he takes a step. Im not ready for that, damnit!

To tear up when you think that your kid is going to be a year old. Holy eff, where did that time go?!

To wake your kid up early so you can stop at Starbucks on the way to school.

To walk around with your class rosters to get the scoop on all of your new students before you meet them.

To spend most of your time on hall duty talking to yourself in effort to remember all of the things you have to do in your day.

To be fast asleep by 9 PM because you're that exhausted...or old...or both.

To pretend you're on a phony cell phone call to avoid talking to the creepy booth people at the mall who want to rub weird lotion on your hands.

To stalk the real estate websites looking for a new house when you know your hubs loves the one you're already in...this girl needs a driveway stat.

To love your job enough that when your SAHM friends say "Oh its terrible you cant stay home" you answer "No, its not- I love my job" even when they give you the 'Youre the worst mommy ever' look because they think you don't want to be with your kid

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Welp, I did it. I went back to work today and I gotta say lovelies, I am whooped.

I had grand plans of coming home and posting something witty and fun and creative and well that's just not going to happen today. My duty this year is corridor supervision, where I walk my arse around a huge building asking kids for hall passes and chasing them back to class. I did more walking today than I did all summer combined I believe and my legs and bum feel it.

Not to mention the whole song and dance that I preform for the children trying to get them to realize that they do in fact have to do the work assigned to them and avoid using the hall pass unless it is an emergency. Its a daunting task, but I love it.

3. Tell us your favorite thing to do in the fall. If you have children, activities to do with the kids.

I love love love going to the pumpkin patch. The one where you have to get on a wagon and trek out into the patch to find the perfect pumpkin. Grayson got to go with us last year for the first time, he loved it as you can see.

I cant wait to take him this year and have him actually be awake. I also think that fall festivals are a must, as well as pumpkin carving as a family and massive amounts of trick or treating.

5. Tell us, how will you be participating in Halloween this year. Plans? Costume ideas?

Well, my friend Haley always has a party so we will be attending that. Grayson made his first appearance last year and will be going back again dressed as something adorable. I'm thinking he's either going to be a dragon or a tiger- but I'm not sure. If anyone has any other cute ideas, please share!

Welcome to my crazy life!Come along with me as I attempt to navigate the crazy life of a wife, new mommy, professional cheapskate, DIY-er, and teacher

I'm a wife to the hubs and a mama to the bean. A lover of sweet tea and pajama pants. A wanna-be photographer and world traveler. A black and gold football junkie. Cheap at heart, with expensive taste. Spend my days chasing the man-child, DIY-ing my dreams, and keeping a lid on my sarcasm. This is my crazy life, welcome to it.